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Media Release: SANParks gives out another legacy to school kids

Date: 2013-06-07

“Historically, conservation in South Africa was aimed at preserving isolated pockets of biodiversity with access being granted only to the privileged few. In our new democratic order, it is critical that the country’s resources be spread to all citizens so that they could all make a contribution in building of a new society,” said the SANParks CEO, Dr David Mabunda at the handover function.

This Corporate Social Investment (CIS) programme supports government’s mandate towards community development and is also in line with SANParks’ vision “National Parks Connecting to Society”.

The Administration Block is meant to provide suitable working environment for the school’s 48 educators and two administrators; thereby enhancing quality learning and education to the 1375 learners at the school.

20 jobs were also created during the construction of the centre and local SMME’s were contracted. The main contractor was sourced from the SANParks Contractors’ Expanded Public Works Programme.

Mabunda indicated that “This is the first step that all of us must take in order to realize the kind of society that we want and that which the rural poor want to live in. Through our CSI programme and many others, we will continue to develop mutual relationships between protected areas and neighbouring communities, making our national parks a true mirror of our society’s environmental values.”

In closing, Mabunda urged the educators and learners to use the new facility responsibly. “You are currently the guardian of this building; please look after it so that your grand and great grand children will be able to use it as well,” he concluded.

This CSI project handover follows another of a computer lab which was handed over to Masiza high school at Mbaula village in Limpopo Province on Tuesday, 5 June 2013.

Clockwise: The District Director - Department of Education: Mpumalanga, Mr Mfana Lushaba and the CEO of SANParks, Dr David Mabunda officially unveil the new Admin Block at Dumisani High School.